Mumbai Smashers Break Drought, Bengaluru Held to Thrilling Draw in Indian Pickleball League
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In a thrilling turn of events in the Indian Pickleball League, Mumbai Smashers secured their first win of the season with a 4-2 victory over Capital Warriors Gurgaon, keeping their knockout hopes alive. The win followed a hard-fought 4-2 triumph over their previous opponents. Mumbai's victory was led by World No. 3 Quang Duong, who dominated Arik Badami in the men's singles 15-1. However, Gurgaon fought back with Stavya Bhasin and Jack Munro winning the men's doubles 15-9. Allison Harris then secured a crucial 15-11 win for Mumbai, but Gurgaon's Naimi Mehta and Emilia Schmidt levelled the scores with a 15-12 women's doubles victory. Mumbai sealed their first win of the season with a 21-18 Grand Rally victory. In a must-win clash, Bengaluru Blasters took an early lead over already-qualified Hyderabad Royals with Phuc Huynh winning the men's singles 15-10 and Arjun Singh and Phuc Huynh securing the men's doubles 15-10. Pei Chuan Kao then produced a remarkable comeback to beat Megan Fudge 15-13, making it 3-0 for Bengaluru. However, Hyderabad refused to give up, with Fudge and Shreya Chakraborty winning the women's doubles 15-7 and Hyderabad securing a thrilling 3-3 draw with a 21-19 Grand Rally victory. Meanwhile, Gameday 5, Tie 3 between Chennai Super Warriors and Lucknow Leopards is currently underway, and the results will be updated in the subsequent round-up. Chennai and Hyderabad will compete in the Qualifier for the Grand Finale on Saturday, with the winner progressing onward and the loser moving to Eliminator 2.
